On the bright spring morning of April 10th 2017 the Ambassador of Romania to the Netherlands, H.E. Mrs.Bert Koenders Brânduşa Predescu, along with H.E.Mr. Rumen Alexandrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria, organized a reception.

The reception was to mark Romania and Bulgaria accession to the European Union 10 years ago. Ambassador Brânduşa Predescu, observed there was a chill in the air, despite the chill she said, it was still spring and it was going to be a joyous occasion. However, Ambassador Brânduşa Predescu, paused at the recent carnage caused by terrorist in London and Stockholm.

The venue chosen for the festivities was Pavilion Malieveld, Laan van Europa.A resume of Ambassador Predescu, welcome remarks is here to attached.

It is a pleasure to join my friend and colleague Rumen Alexandrov, Ambassador of Bulgaria in warmly welcoming you at this special event marking a decade since our two countries joined the EU. We gather here in a symbolic place in The Hague, the Laan van Europa, where lime trees have been planted by the Ambassadors of all EU Member States as an expression of their countries’ membership and commitment to Europe. For this wonderful initiative the credit and our thanks go to the wethouders of The Hague. They made it possible that we, member states have all grown roots in this lovely European city.

At the same time, this is an opportunity to celebrate the friendship and partnership of our countries with the Netherlands. And we are particularly honored to express our heartfelt thanks to you, Minister Koenders, for having so graciously accepted to fit this event into your busy agenda.

My country is preparing for taking over for the first time the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In 2019 – which will be 30 years after the fall of communism, Romania intends to bring its own positive, constructive and result-oriented contribution to the European construction. And a profound European approach rooted in a tradition that goes back centuries.

Romania and Romanians believe in Europe. It always has. Because of their history, because of the drama of separation, because of geo-political instinct. It believes in Europe out of necessity. But, above all, it believes in Europe out of genuine conviction.

Because, dear friends, there is no other better place to be today, in spite of everything, than here, in our Europe. Let us remember that every single day. And act accordingly. End of quote.

The next speaker on the bright spring morning of April 10th 2017 was the Ambassador of Bulgaria H.E Mr.Rumen Alexandrov. On January 1st, 2007, Bulgaria and Romania became Member States of the European Union. Today we mark the 10th anniversary of that momentous event and prepare for the first Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the EU.

The accession to the EU made Bulgaria to become a part of the world’s biggest trade block – the Single Market of 500 million European citizens. Billions worth of EU funding have been invested in the modernization of Bulgaria’s regions and infrastructure. The stability and predictability of the EU rules and standards has created favourable conditions for a considerable increase of the foreign investments in our economy, as well as a steady progress in economic growth and jobs creation.

Joining the European Union was certainly not ‘the end of the road’ for either of our countries, it was the beginning of it and we still have a long way to go. Today we, the Bulgarians are proud of our EU membership and look forward with self-confidence to the European future of our country.

H.E. Mr. Bert Koenders, Dutch Minister of Foreign Affaires.

Subsequently, the Netherlands Foreign Minister Mr. Bert Koenders made his remarks. He vividly recalls the pre-EU era of Romania. He was pleased to seeing Bulgarian and Romanian ships sailing into the EU port..Koenders remembers the skeptical stand of the media in those days. The media was wondering whether the two countries were in a position to make the grade, given their level of development.

Here we are, 10 years later, Sofia will be taking over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2018 and Romania in 2019. Congratulations Romania and Bulgaria.